The scriptures tell us that God’s ways are not our ways, in fact they are far above our ways and thoughts. Therefore, when we are corrected by God we must know it is for our good, even for our blessing.
Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV) — 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
When God gives parental guidelines which seem contrary to modern societal standards, we know that it follows a pattern of love that He follows in caring for us as His children.
Proverbs 13:24 (ESV) — 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Hebrews 12:7–10 (ESV) — 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
God’s pattern of discipline requires a great deal of self-discipline to follow God’s lead in correction. He is never vindictive or does He ever go beyond what is necessary to bring us back to the mark. In fact, His correction is evidence of His love and, although unpleasant for the moment, it will bring glory to Him as He prunes us to be fruit bearing for His glory and our blessing.
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) — 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
John 15:1–5 (ESV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Oh, that we might learn the lesson and seek a closeness to the Lord Jesus Christ that we, as dependent children, might find the grace and help of God to bring forth fruit and desire it so much that we welcome His pruning in our lives as He corrects us for our good.
Proverbs 15:10 (ESV) — 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
Proverbs 3:11–12 (ESV) — 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Psalm 94:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, 13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.
It’s no small matter to realize that we all need correction, especially when you consider the great call upon us from God. We are His adopted children and are on this earth to be His representatives, ambassadors, as a “kingdom of priests” unto God.
Revelation 1:5–6 (ESV) — 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 5:20–21 (ESV) — 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
It’s quite the privilege to be the children of God and to be His representatives in the world. Just like Israel of old to whom God gave the law as instruction that they would be His representatives in the world and not be like every other nation. Today, God calls us out of the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of light that we would shine as Jesus said as lights in the world.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) — 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Because we represent Him, He corrects us out of love because He does not want us to give a false presentation. He makes sure the light is a true reflection of Him and the only way we will give a true refection is when we are totally focused on Him.
Revelation 3:19 (ESV) — 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
And that means His correction is for our blessing.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out our podcast – The PowerBreak podcast which is available wherever you download podcasts or from our website: www.bobbrubaker.com.
